Cryptids, Monsters and Other Things
Cryptids and Urban Legends are the building blocks of The Untrodden Ways. Every town across the globe has a strange story, an unexplainable beast, or a spooky place. As we research the Internet, local libraries, and old newspaper archives for legends, we will keep a growing list of cryptids and their locations.
What is a Cryptid?
Cryptids are animals, monsters, or Forest Folk that science believes are out there but cannot prove. Science being the key part of that definition. A creature falls into the cryptid category because a scientist (professional or amateur) is seeking evidence that the cryptid is in the wild and hoping someday we will find solid proof.
Cryptids can be simple animals or mysterious urban legends like the Mothman. Giant dogs, giant cats, and giant worms can usually be found on any cryptids list. The rabbit with deer antlers, a jackalope, is considered a cryptid.
What is an example of a Cryptid?
The best-known example of a cryptid has to be Big Foot (also known as Sasquatch or Yeti depending on the geographic location and the color). These are large, hairy, humanoid creatures that wander the deep woods periodically seen by hikers. Scientists have footprints and fuzzy pictures as proof, but a Big Foot has never been captured.
Another good example would be the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie is basically a sea dwelling dinosaur hundreds of years old that swims around an inland lake. She periodically pops up to have a picture taken and then hides while humans search the lake for her.
Famous Cryptids of NOrth America
On the list of most famous North American cryptids would be the Mothman, the Chupacabra, the Jersey Devil, thunderbirds, and giant octopus. Less well known (or regionally known) are the wendigo, skinwalkers, megalodon, and La Llorona.
Untrodden Ways Cryptids with NPC Sheets
Cryptids of North America
El Duende
Knockers
Troll
Hairy Man of Vergas
Cryptid or Creature of Legend?
We mentioned that ‘science’ was important to the definition of a cryptid. Here’s why. Scientists are not looking for most of the creatures found in old fables. The things found in Brothers Grimm Faery tales, ancient scriptures, and Greek myths aren’t usually classified as cryptids. Gnomes, elves, and dwarves are not on a cryptids list.
Are Mermaids Cryptids?
Do mermaids count as cryptids or creatures of myth? Mermaids – humanoids with fish or aquatic parts – have been part of human literature for centuries. They have a strong presence in modern pirate and sailing folklore. Merfolk have been the featured creature in many modern television and movies. Those that sail the seas have been searching for and trying to prove that mermaids exist. That’s the key. As a crytozoologist on the Untrodden Ways, we would categorize mermaids as cryptids.
Is It Urban Legends or Cryptids?
The difference between urban legends and cryptids is one of scale. Cryptids are just one of many creatures that can be found in an urban legend. Urban Legends are stories that encompass locations, things, buildings, and maybe cryptids.
Cryptids on The Untrodden Ways
Luckily for us, cryptids fit very well into Urban Fantasy. If your character is a green coat wearing cryptozoologist (a scientist that searches for monsters) from the John Cullen Society, they are fearful and despise cryptids as much as any other monster, Urban Legend, or Forest Folk.
Your Favorite Cryptids
If you have any favorite cryptids, please let us know about it. It could be the spark that sets our next adventure on the Untrodden Ways into motion.
